Portable skim filter



May 29, 1962 C. s. BARBARA 3,036,712

PORTABLE SKIM FILTER Filed Nov. 28, 1958 /662 A I A-/f INVENTOR. C/Q 55 51 5%?@5037 United States Patent O 3,036,712 PORTABLE SKIM FILTER Charles S. Barbara, Charles S. Barbara Assn., 8842 Newcastle Ave., Northridge, Calif. Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 777,129 1 Claim. (Cl. 210-169) This invention relates to a swimming pool filtering device.

Itis an object of this invention to provide a filter which is portable and may be easily inserted into either an' above or below ground pool.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide such a structure which does not interfere with use of the pool or unduly obstruct same.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the 4following description:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying this invention in an above ground pol.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of this invention.

Referring first to the device shown in FIGURE 1, the pool is of the above ground type formed of for example, a suitable plastic material and filled with water 12. The rim 14 of the pool is enlarged and if necessary reenforced to provide stability.

A ladder 1'6 having an inclined approach from outside the pool and a vertical extension Within the pool straddles rim 14. Suitable footings 18 formed of a suitable material such as rubber are provided on the legs of ladder 16 inside the pool so that injury to the pool is avoided. It is contemplated that the ladder frame be formed of a suit able metal tubing While the steps inside and outside the pool be of any suitable material such as metal or wood.

A pair of tubular cross braces 20 provide rigidity to the ladder frame and a support for platform 22 is pivotally secured to one of the braces in any suitable manner well known to those skilled in the art.

Supported by the ladder 16 beneath platform 22 is a combination Filter and Surface Skimmer of, for example, the type described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,844,255, Cavenah et al., issued July 22, 1958. Such device has an outer tank 24 which contains a pivoting Weir 26 to skim the surface of the pool, a removable lbasket 28 and a filter 30. The tank is supported by the frame of ladder 16 in this instance by being bolted to a bracket 32 which has its ends secured to one of the braces 20 and a further brace 34. A hose 36 connects 'filter 30 to pump 38 which in this embodiment is supported upon a platform 40 formed by extending one of the ladder steps and held by one or more braces 42. A second hose `44 forms a return from the pump to the pool. An additional hose 45 may lead from the main drain at the lowest point in the pool `to the tank 24.

In use the ladder is positioned to straddle the edge of the pool with the skimming and filtering device within the pool and the pump and its motor outside same. The skimming and filtering device is positioned with the Weir 26 at the pool level by either regulating the level of the Water in the -pool or adjusting the vertical position of the device on bracket 32. When the pump is actuated Water is drawn through the filter and discharged through hose 44 into the pool. When desired platform 22 may be pivoted upwardly to expose the tank 24. The lid 46 of the tank may be removed to permit removal and emptying of basket 28 as Well as cleaning or repairing of the other elements within the tan-k.

In FIGURE 3 a modified form of this invention is provided, adapted for use with a below ground pool. In this instance the frame of ladder 16a is altered so that one extremity thereof may fit into spaced holes such as 48 formed in or adjacent the deck of the pool 10a and the other extremity of the ladder frame is bent so that feet 18a bear against the side Wall of the pool, The pump 38a and its motor are supported in this embodiment in a waterproof container 49 suspended from tank 24a. The skimming and filtering device is supported from the ladder frame adjacent the pool wall eliminating the possibility of same constituting a-n obstruction Within the pool and minimizing the possibility of damage thereto.

As will be obvious, the platform 22 is normally positioned over the skimming and filtering unit in position to conceal the same and to further protect the unit from darnage by falling objects and against dropping of unwanted foreign matter onto or at the entrance of the skimming unit. The concealment of the unit by the platformy not only protects the latter but adds to the aesthetic appeal of the entire apparatus. Obviously, as described, the platform can be pivotally moved out of the way to provide ready access to the skimming and filtering unit.

While what hereinbefore has been described as the preferred embodiment of this invention it is readily apparent that alterations and modilications can be resorted to without departing `from the scope of this invention and such alterations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A removable cleaning device fora swimming pool comprising: step ladder means a first portion of which projects downwardly into a swimming pool spaced inwardly of the adjacent side Wall thereof and a second portion of which extends downwardly outside said pool to engage a supporting surface, a water skimming and filtering unit mounted upon said step ladder means ybetween said first downwardly projection portion and lthe said adjacent side of the pool, and a platform pivotally mounted upon said ladder directly over said skimming and filtering unit and extending over the edge of said pool and between said portions of said ladder whereby said platform conceals said unit and protects the same from damage and from unwanted foreign matter and said platform may be pivotally moved Ito provide ready access to said skimming and filtering unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,143,441 Jacobs Jan. 10, 1939 2,617,764 Hauber et al Nov. l1, 1952 2,844,255 Cavenah et al July 22, 1958 2,900,079 Pace Aug. 18, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 348,794 Great Britain May 21, 1931 

